Prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among men

Vitamin D is vital for human health but its deficiency is worldwide. There is a gap in our knowledge about vitamin D status in Bahrain. To identify vitamin D status and associated risk factors among men in Bahrain. A cross-sectional study. Four public and four private maternity hospitals in Bahrain. The study was carried out in the second and third weeks of April 2012. Three hundred sixty-four men [husbands of mothers who presented in labor] participated in the study. A questionnaire was administered and vitamin D level was measured in the blood. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate differences between variables. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. The mean age +/- SD was 34.40 +/- 7.27 years. Vitamin D mean level +/- SD was 46.14 +/- 12.80 nmol/L. Vitamin D level was <50 nmol/L in 233 [64%] men. The following variables showed significant association with vitamin D deficiency: high income [P-value 0.020], smoking [P-value 0.021], lack of sun exposure [P-value 0.001] and high body mass index [P-value 0.022]. Vitamin D deficiency is common among men in Bahrain. High income, lack of sun exposure and high BMI were significant and independent predictors of low vitamin D level. There is a need for population-based study in a randomly selected sample which includes all age groups and both genders

Prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency among mothers in labor and their newborns

Vitamin D deficiency is recognized as a global public health problem. Studies of vitamin D levels in mothers in labor and their newborns in Bahrain are lacking. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence of vitamin D [25[OH]D] deficiency among mothers in labor and their newborns in Bahrain. A cross-sectional multicenter study. Four Public and Four Private Maternity Hospitals in Bahrain. The study was conducted in April 2012. It included mothers in labor and their newborns. Differences between the subgroups were analyzed using Chi-Square or Student's t-test as appropriate. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate independent predictors of 25[OH]D level. The study included 403 mothers and 403 newborns. Overall prevalence of 25[OH]D deficiency [<50 nmol] was 358 [88.8%] of the mothers and 364 [90.3%] of the newborns. The mean maternal alkaline phosphatase level was significantly higher than the neonatal level and the maternal mean calcium was significantly lower than the neonatal level. Significant association with vitamin D deficiency was found among Bahraini and non-Bahraini Arab mothers, delivering in public rather than private hospital, living in flats, low education, the use of veil, gravida >/= 4, not using multivitamins, vitamin D or calcium supplements. Vitamin D deficiency among mothers and their newborns is high. This mandates increasing awareness, vitamin D supplementation among mothers in labor and their infants; in addition to the introduction of vitamin D fortification of dairy products and flour at the national level

Abusive head trauma in children: the extent and clinical characteristics

Abusive head trauma [AHT] is the leading cause of death in child abuse. Knowledge about AHT in Bahrain is lacking. The objectives are to identify the extent of AHT in Bahrain, victims' characteristics and the clinical features. Child Protection Unit, Salmaniya Medical Complex. Retrospective review. Abusive head traumas were evaluated between 2000 and 2009. Victims' characteristics, patterns of presentation and result of investigations were recorded. SPSS version 17 for Windows was used for data management and statistical analyses. Twenty-three patients with the diagnosis of AHT were identified. In 18 [78%] the age is one year or below; 16 [70%] were males. No plausible explanation for the head injuries was given in 16 [70%] patients. Vomiting was seen in 13 [56.5%], seizures in 13 [56.5%], altered state of consciousness in 12 [52%], irritability in 12 [52%], difficulty of breathing in 9 [39%], coma in 8 [35%], apnea in 4 [17%], chocking episodes in 3 [13%] and two were dead on arrival. The total death after AHT was four [17%]. Subdural hemorrhage was identified in 9 [39%], cerebral hemorrhage in 17 [74%] and retinal hemorrhage in 13 [56.5%]. Evidence of blunt impact were bruises in 13 [56.5%], skull fractures in 9 [39%], localized scalp swelling in 5 [22%] and subgaleal hematoma in 2 [9%]. AHT is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The presenting symptoms of AHT are non-specific; therefore, maintaining a high index of suspicion is paramount. All children presenting with a life-threatening event or head injuries without a plausible explanation should undergo a multidisciplinary assessment for AHT. A prospective national study is required

Child sexual offenders characteristics: a retrospective ten years study from Bahrain

Understanding child sexual abuse [CSA] victimization process and child sexual offenders' [CSO] characteristics is essential for prevention and treatment programs. Studies of CSO in the Arab region are limited. To identify the characteristics of CSO involved in CSA. Retrospective study. The Child Protection Unit [CPU], Salmaniya Medical Complex [SMC]. Four hundred and eleven records of CSO were identified during 10 years, from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2009. Characteristics included were the perpetrator's age group, gender, nationality, occupation, and relationship with the victims. Data management and analysis was done by using SPSS version 17 for Windows. Four hundred and eleven perpetrators were recognized, 293 [71.3%] were Bahrainis; 354 [86%] were males and 57 [14%] were females. Two hundred and seventy-eight [67.6%] offenders were adults and 116 [28.2%] were juvenile. Forty-eight [11.7%] were babysitters/housemaids and that represented 84.2% of females perpetrators. The age of babysitters' victims was under six in 40 [83%] cases. Three hundred and thirty-two [81%] perpetrators were well known to the child. A criminal record was identified in 83 [20.2%] offenders. Most of the CSO were Bahrainis, adults, males, and well known to the child. The majority of female offenders were housemaids/babysitters. There is a need for more systematic studies of offenders' characteristics including the risk factors, treatment and rehabilitation outcome

Child abuse and neglect in the Arab Peninsula

To provide an overview of the problem and patterns of child abuse and neglect in the 7 countries of the Arab Peninsula, and to highlight some of the difficulties and shortcomings. This study was conducted by reviewing medical literature, published between January 1987 and May 2005. In addition, reports were obtained from regional meetings and professional organizations. Each study or report was reviewed, assessed, and summarized. Three studies from Kuwait identified 27 children; 22 with physical abuse, 3 with sexual abuse, and 2 with Munchausen's syndrome by proxy [MSP], and 3 deaths. Eleven case reports from Saudi Arabia identified 40 abused children; 24 with physical abuse, 6 with sexual abuse, 4 with MSP, and 6 with neglect. Fatal outcome was documented in 5 children. In Oman, 5 cases of MSP were reported. A total of 150 hospital-based cases were reported from Bahrain; 50 with physical abuse, 87 with sexual abuse, and 10 with both forms of abuse. In Yemen, population based surveys revealed a wide spread use of corporal punishments and cruelty to children at homes, schools, and juvenile centers, which ranged from 51-81%. Children in the Arab Peninsula are subjected to all forms of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is ignored or may even be tolerated and accepted as a form of discipline, abused children continue to suffer and most abusers go free, unpunished and untreated. Confronting these realities is a necessary step in the long and hard road to break silence, respond to and prevent child abuse and neglect in the Arab Peninsula